With a rise in inquiries regarding revocable living trusts and a push toward trusts as a one-size-fits-all solution, New Jersey practitioners are increasingly faced with clients questioning whether a will is enough—or whether a trust is truly necessary.
In this session, “‘I Need a Trust’ – What Every Client is Asking for These Days,” partners Tim Ferges and Nick Keller examine the evolving role of trusts in New Jersey estate planning, separating fact from fiction about what trusts can—and cannot—accomplish. Focusing on the most common form, the revocable living trust, the program will explore when a trust may be desirable, how to counsel clients who insist on a trust regardless of need, and how trusts compare to traditional estate planning documents. This session will also address contesting a living trust versus a will, including whether New Jersey’s notice of probate rules apply, providing attendees with practical guidance for advising clients amid today’s trust-driven narrative.